DP World Takes the Helm: Indian Golf Enters a New Era with Landmark PGTI Partnership

For decades, professional Indian Golf in India was often viewed as a niche pursuit, a sport of quiet fairways and modest prize purses that struggled to break into the mainstream consciousness dominated by cricket.

However, as we move through early 2026, that narrative hasn’t just changed it has been completely rewritten.

The catalyst? A landmark multi-year partnership between global logistics giant DP World and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). This isn’t just another sponsorship deal; it is a structural shift. With DP World stepping in as the Title and Official Umbrella Partner, the PGTI is undergoing a transformation that promises to elevate Indian professionals from local heroes to global contenders.

A Global Bridge for Local Talent:

The most significant hurdle for Indian golfers has historically been the “gap” the jump from domestic dominance to the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) or the PGA Tour. Under this new agreement, that bridge is being built with reinforced steel.

• International Playing Pathways: The partnership creates clear, merit-based routes for top-ranked PGTI players to secure spots in elite international events. We are already seeing the fruits of this in the 2026 season, with more Indian faces appearing on leaderboards in Dubai and Europe.
• Prize Money Surge: The financial landscape has shifted overnight. The 2026 season-opener, the Chhattisgarh Open, saw its prize purse jump from ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crore. Across the board, domestic tournaments are seeing 50% increases in stakes, making professional golf a more viable career for the next generation.

“Together with DP World, we are entering a new era of momentum, visibility, and excellence for Indian golf.” Kapil Dev, President of PGTI.

Beyond the bright lights of the final round, the DP World partnership is sinking roots into the “boring” but essential parts of the sport: infrastructure and data.

1. Grassroots Development: A key pillar of the deal involves structured support for junior programs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The goal is to ensure that the next Shubhankar Sharma or Anirban Lahiri doesn’t just come from a metro club, but perhaps from a new academy in Raipur or Ahmedabad.
2. Sustainability: Using DP World’s logistics expertise, the tour is working toward long-term financial and operational sustainability, ensuring that the PGTI remains a stable platform for decades, not just seasons.

The impact of this partnership is best viewed through the lens of the current season’s growth compared to just a year ago.

Under the leadership of the legendary Kapil Dev, the PGTI had already begun its upward trajectory. However, the addition of a partner like DP World which already sponsors the entire European Tour provides a level of “corporate muscle” that the sport has never seen in India.

It aligns the Indian domestic circuit with the global “Race to Dubai,” effectively making the PGTI a vital cog in the world golf ecosystem. As the 2026 season unfolds, the message is clear: the boundary ropes of Indian golf have been moved, and the world is now the playing field.